Here's the question I get most from buyers looking at Dubai off-plan: "Can I get the keys before I've paid most of the price?" With SAMANA's 40/60 plan, that's the whole idea. You pay 40% while the building goes up, take handover, and pay the remaining 60% after you've moved in or rented it out. For a lot of buyers, especially investors, that changes the maths completely. But a post-handover plan is still a long commitment, so here's what it really involves.
How the 40/60 plan works
According to SAMANA's offer page, the structure is:
| Stage | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| During construction | 40% | Paid in instalments while the project is being built |
| After handover | 60% | Paid after you receive the keys, on the schedule in your SPA |
SAMANA says you can move in before completing the 60%, and that the Oqood (the pre-title registration with the Dubai Land Department) is issued after your first payment. The company describes the plan as available across its Dubai projects, in areas including Al Warsan, Arjan, JVC, Dubailand, Dubai South, Dubai Islands, Meydan and Al Furjan, with terms and eligibility varying by project and unit type.
One thing the offer page doesn't spell out is exactly how the 40% is split during construction, or over how many months the 60% runs after handover. That detail is in your unit's payment schedule and SPA, so get it in writing before you book.
What it looks like in numbers
Property price only. The 4% DLD registration fee and admin charges are extra.
| Price | 40% during construction | 60% after handover |
|---|---|---|
| AED 800,000 | AED 320,000 | AED 480,000 |
| AED 1,000,000 | AED 400,000 | AED 600,000 |
| AED 1,500,000 | AED 600,000 | AED 900,000 |
Why investors like it
The big advantage is that the unit can start earning before you've finished paying. Once you have handover, you can rent the apartment and use that income towards the post-handover instalments. For an end user, it means moving in and paying the balance instead of rent. And because the 60% is paid to the developer on a schedule, you aren't forced to get a mortgage at handover the way you would with a 20/80 or 30/70 plan.
The honest part
A post-handover plan isn't free money, and a few things deserve a hard look. First, rent rarely covers the full instalment. If the 60% runs over a short period, monthly payments can be much bigger than the rent the unit earns, so work out the gap you'll fund yourself. Second, there's vacancy risk. If the unit sits empty for a few months, the instalments don't stop. Third, you're committed for longer. Missing post-handover payments can trigger the default terms in your SPA, so read them carefully. And fourth, compare the price. Ask whether the same unit is cheaper on a different plan or for cash, because flexibility sometimes comes with a higher price tag.
With so many new apartments completing in Dubai in 2026 and 2027, I'd also be realistic about rent. Our article on whether Dubai prices are falling explains why, and our rental yields guide helps you model the income honestly.
40/60 vs 30/70 vs 20/80
The 20/80 and 30/70 plans keep more of your money free during construction, but put a big payment at handover, which usually means a mortgage. The 40/60 plan asks for more during the build, then spreads the larger share after handover, so you don't need a mortgage at completion. If you'd rather avoid a large handover bill and want to use rent to pay down the balance, 40/60 is usually the better fit. Our 30/70 guide and 20/80 guide cover the alternatives.
Who 40/60 suits
It suits investors who plan to rent the unit and want income working towards the balance, overseas buyers who don't want to depend on a UAE mortgage at handover, and end users who'd rather pay instalments than rent while they finish paying. It's a weaker fit if your cash flow can't handle the post-handover instalments when rent falls short.
What to check before you book
Get the full payment schedule, including how many post-handover months and the exact monthly or quarterly amounts. Confirm the contractual handover date, the fees on top of the price, and the SPA terms for default, resale and transfer while instalments are outstanding. Our SPA guide and developer vetting guide help with both, and our snagging guide covers handover itself.
You can explore SAMANA projects through Saiban Associates, including SAMANA Greenfield 2, SAMANA Portside and SAMANA South Haven, or see everything on our projects page. Want the 40/60 schedule for a specific unit? Message us on WhatsApp.
